Situation deteriorated as it became apparent that there were no other rooms available – at the hotel or anywhere else in the town

Suspects became violent. Two arrests. Both now staying with us overnight.

17.15hrs

Suspect detained by staff at the Bethlehem Brasserie for theft of a jug of wine

Evidence consumed prior to police arrival

Suspect unfit for interview until tomorrow morning

18.00hrs

Reports of possible UFO sighting

Claims of a bright light – moving East to West at a height of several thousand feet

Area Search, No Trace

Possible Nuisance Call

18.30hrs

Multiple calls to disturbance on hillside a mile outside town

Reports of strobe lighting and loud music

Initial suspicions of an illegal rave in progress

On arrival, met by group of Shepherds and a large number of sheep

Shepherds claimed to have been visited by an angelic choir (as if we’d fall for that one). Sheep useless as witnesses.

But, despite lengthy enquiries and a thorough search of the area, no sound system or lighting equipment found – and no evidence recovered suggesting the use of mind-altering substances. Not so much as a spliff.

Shepherds initially threatened with arrest for wasting police time – but eventually given a Verbal Warning when they explained that they were leaving anyway.

Last seen running towards Bethlehem Town Centre.

19.30hrs

Call to an impromptu protest outside Bethlehem Town Hall

Discovered a small crowd carrying banners, chanting slogans and demanding Judean independence from the rule of Rome

Dispersed at request of officers without incident – though something tells me we haven’t seen or heard the last of them.

20.00hrs

Call from our colleagues in the Judea Border Patrol

They have stopped a group of Travellers who claim to have come from ‘afar’ (Have yet to establish where this is)

The three who appear to be in charge are well dressed and claim to know something about the earlier UFO report

Search of luggage has revealed a quantity of gold and a container filled with an aromatic and suspicious looking resin

Enquiries ongoing re possible offences

20.15hrs

Update from Border Patrol

Travellers able to prove ownership of gold – and the resin turns out to be something called Myrrh. Checks confirm this isn’t a Controlled Drug

Allowed on their way

21.00hrs

Call to suspected Child Protection case

Allegation of a newborn baby being cared for in wholly unsuitable circumstances – apparently in a stable, surrounded by livestock and with no heating or running water

Unmarried teenage mother with no obvious means of support aside from an older man claiming – without documentation – to be her ‘betrothed’

On arrival, found earlier group of Shepherds in street outside

Initially threatened them with arrest for Obstructing Police – then saw expression on their faces

Decided to see for myself what was going on

Ma’am, I’ve walked this beat for almost 25 years and I’ve seen most things that this line of work puts your way – but I have no words to describe what I saw last night

No arrests necessary. No explanation adequate. But everything is different now

By the time you read this, I’ll have finished my shift. But if you have any questions about this report, you’ll find me back at the stable door.

If I may Ma’am – and if you have time – you really ought to come and see for yourself